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Doug Ford looks for solution to road-clogging charity events

Doug Ford says he’d like to discuss the issue of thwarted traffic with organizers to see if there are alternatives.

The Gardiner Expressway was closed to motorists on June 5, 2011 for the annual Becel Heart and Stroke Ride for Heart, which raised almost $4 million. (COLIN McCONNELL / TORONTO STAR)

By Paul MoloneyUrban Affairs Reporter

Mon., June 6, 2011

Councillor Doug Ford says there has to be a “better way” of running charity events and marathons that infuriate motorists by shutting down Toronto’s major expressways.

Mayor Rob Ford’s top advisor made the comments a day after the annual Becel Heart and Stroke Ride for Heart cycling fundraiser sparked complaints by closing parts of the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway.

There must be a better way, said Ford, who wants a new policy for next year.

“I’m a big supporter of these charitable organizations; they do a great job,” Ford said Monday. “On the other hand, you get a few phone calls from constituents that aren’t too happy that the roads are blocked up.

“Do I agree there’s always better ways of doing things? Yes.”

Ford wants organizers of the ride and other big events to sit down with city officials and see if some can be moved off busy roads into large parks or other venues.

The 24th Ride for Heart attracted more than 13,000 participants and raised a record $3.9 million, $600,000 more than last year.

The event had used Lake Shore Blvd. but outgrew that roadway, said spokeswoman Teresa Roncon.

Organizers of the Sunday morning ride are willing to sit down with city officials to talk about alternatives, Roncon said.

“We realize it’s an inconvenience for some drivers, and we want to thank them for their patience,” she said, adding however that the Heart and Stroke Foundation wants to keep the current route.

“Using this location provides an exceptional experience and enables us to raise millions for our research,” she said. “We think this is an excellent location for us.”

Charities have been told that the 400-series expressways in Toronto — Highways 401, 427, 400 and 404 — aren’t available to them.

Ontario’s transportation ministry doesn’t close any of its 400-series highways for events, said spokesperson Bob Nichols. The only permitted closures are for road construction.

Reasons for keeping the expressways open include high traffic volumes, safety concerns and the road network’s importance to the economy, the ministry says.

Ford said it may be that an event as big as Ride for Heart can’t be moved off the DVP/Gardiner.

“You can’t put it in a park,” he said. “On the other hand, if there’s a walk and there’s under 1,000 people, maybe we could do it in a walk along the lake, or put it in one of the big parks and go from there.”

Complaints flared over the city’s two marathons being scheduled close together, but it’s now agreed that one will be held in spring and the other in the fall.

However, Toronto should be coordinating with adjoining cities as well, said Ford. He recently spoke with Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion on this topic, in reference to this spring’s coincidental timing of the GoodLife Fitness Toronto Marathon and the Mississauga Marathon.

“Hazel’s saying they have a marathon (at the same time) and it just doesn’t make sense because you don’t get full participation. So next year, Hazel wants to sit down and try to co-ordinate one event.”

Ford said he’d like to see major event organizers and city transportation staff get together in a room and work something out.

“There’s always a better idea,” he said. “Always. Maybe somebody will come up with one. When we get these 100 kilometres of bike paths throughout the city that we’ve planned before the end of our mandate, maybe that’s the place to have them.”

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